Broken Promises and Broken Trust: A Glance at Balochistan’s Budget Woes
By: Mannan Samad
Balochistan, Pakistan’s vast and resource-rich province, has recently unveiled a budget of Rs 955.6 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25. However, given the province’s history of unmet promises and fiscal mismanagement, it is unlikely that these pledges will be fulfilled by the end of the fiscal year.
The new budget, presented by the recently elected PPP government, pledges to uplift the lives of the province’s poor citizens. Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by area, yet it is also the least populous. Despite its size and resources, nearly 60% of the population lives below the poverty line. This budget, however, seems unlikely to deliver on its promises.
Analysts point to a troubling pattern of unrealized goals. Year after year, grand development projects are announced, but many remain unfinished by the end of the fiscal year. This phenomenon, known as “throw-forward,” creates a growing burden of incomplete schemes that strain the provincial budget
Instead of prioritizing the completion of these ongoing projects, the new budget allocates a significant portion of its Rs 321 billion development funds to over 2,700 new schemes.
Critics see this as a cynical ploy to win favor with lawmakers by initiating new projects in their constituencies, rather than focusing on completing vital existing infrastructure. This approach, they argue, squanders precious resources and undermines long-term development goals.
This lack of fiscal discipline and transparency breeds public distrust. Balochistanis have grown accustomed to empty promises and suspect their leaders of prioritizing political gain over the well-being of the people. This widespread cynicism fuels political instability and contributes to the rise of militancy in the region.
The path forward for Balochistan requires a fundamental shift in governance. The provincial authorities must prioritize political and financial reform, with a particular focus on revamping the development budget process. A long-term development strategy is urgently needed to ensure transparent resource allocation and targeted investment in geographically specific areas, sectors, and projects.
Developing such a strategy will not be easy, but it is a crucial first step. By efficiently utilizing Balochistan’s limited financial resources, the government can begin to bridge the trust gap with the people and ensure that the fruits of development reach all corners of the province. Only then can Balochistan hope to break the cycle of poverty, violence, and unfulfilled promises.
The writer is a contributing columnist based in Turbat
